Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1887-02-11
Friday Morning. !, FeBruary II, lss7
A TOUCHING CASE.

A TOUCHING CASE
Weds not know when our sympathies
were more aroused and our indignation more
heightened than whilst reading the proceed
ings in the trial of the negro, John L. West,
in the criminal Court of the District of Co
lumbia, fer burglary and attempted assault
upon the person of Mrs. Mary Irene Page.
The whole affair, from its origin to the
humiliating spectacle of Mrs. Page on the
witness stand confronting the vulgar gaze
of the crowd that usually fiocks to such
places, is but the outgrowth of that policy
inaugurated by the red-mouthed Radical
Republicans, intended to enslave and de-
gradewhite people under government that
was intended for white people, and which
President Cleveland perpetuates and guards
with more than jealous care and that, too,
against the known wishes Of the party that
gave him his exalted position, and whose
principles he once pretended to voice and
respect
Right at this point we would desire to re-
mark, that if Mr.. Cleveland continues not
only to encourageltut adheres to the en-
phatic carrying out of this policy, namely,
the appointment Of negroes to lucrative po-
sitions and of large supervision and control
over white people, policy as foreign to the
spirit of our institutions as it is repugnant
to our natures, he will certainly and surely
develop into stubborn, short-sighted, mar
row minded, prevaricating Pettifogger rath-
or than as q truthful, highminded Demo-
cratic statesman. Again and again has Mr..
Cleveland been informed through the ballot
box and other legitimate Democratic chan
ueis that this policy that be clings to with
such persistent devotion is obnoxious to the
Democratic party, and at variance with its
teachings and its spirit. Antony fingered
in dallancs soft with the star-eyed Egyp.
tan queen and lost Actium at the hands Of
the second Cesar, and Mr.. Cleveland, in the
plenttude of Executive patronage distrib-
uted so lavishly among the negroes, may
live TO see that ns element in this republic,
whose foundatiens are the legitimate wants
Of the people, dare be guilty Of superciieus
impertinence toward demand which rises
out of the masses.
Let us return 10 the closer consideration
of the subiect-matter of this article. Mrs
Page, evidently lady of noble qualities of
mind and heart, christian like in all of her
social relations and sympathetic in her very
nature. with the loss of her husband, is
TO seek, and does find, employment in the
Land Office Of the Interior Department, but
was unfortunate enough to be assigned to
desk in rosm in which the negro man
West was to all intents and purposes lord
ald master. Think OF it, reader, IL you can
without feeling your blood curdling in your
veins!-a lady of refinement and culture,
coming from the sunny side of social life,
made slave under one Of a race who by
their very nature are british Ali say
some, this man was not of Mr.. Ceveland's
appointments, and he held his sfflce BY vir-
tue of the tenure Of the civil service law
Granted; but will this acknowledgement
shield or relieve the Administration of CEN
sureg Was it not anticipated by the DEM
ocracy throughout the country that Mr.
Cleveland would, Immediately upon his in
stallation into Office, cause TO be inaugurated
such a system OF reform as would embrace
aud meet, among others, this very trying
and delicate emergency? Could not Secre-
tary Lamar have transferred this animal, II
not with its own race and political kindred,
at least with those of its own sexg There
were other ladies in this room, and could
not gentleman of their own complexion
be found competent for the discharge of the
duties s7sertaining TO the head of that room
"a gentleman whose integrity of character
and morality was impregnable TO assault
without repreach and above suspicion p
There is no provision in Mr. Clsveland's
civil service charter that prevents such a
transfer or change being made In any enc Of
the departments. No, it was gross negli.
gence on the part Of himself or Secretary,
or his unbounded love and admiration oil
the negro element that has governed him in
this instance as it has evidenced itself In
others, and that in the face and teeth of the
highest coordinate branch of the general
government
Cunning by nature, with some education
from contact and experience, West was
shrewd enough, rascal enough to master
the situation Of this unsuspscting aAd un.
fortunate lady from her very entrec into his
room. Slowly and artistically he planned
the scheme that was intended to lead to her
degradation and shame. He was not slow
to discern that her devotion to her church
aud her sympathetic nature were the cords
upon which be was to play with effect be.
fore he could obtain her confidence and thus
strengthen his plans. He professed to be
interested In her religious faith, manifested
desire to be instructed in Its doctrines
asked and received works to that end. In
the meanwhile West all powerful with the
Democratic head of the Department, had
secured for the lady in question two pro.
motions. II was but natural that she should
feel and show her gratitude for such acts OF
supposed friendly kindness, but If void Of
the common sentiment Of gratitude, there
were other pressing influences that would
cause her to give some formal demonstra.
ton Of her appreciation-it was the growing
necessities Of an aged mother and helpless
children. Mrs. Page realized the depend
ence Of her family upon her labor, she saw
the influence that West welded with the
appointing power Of his bureau, and 1t was
but natural that she should offer some
fJrmal manifestation for the interest he had
shown and court TO some extent his further
influence and favor. Some have expressed
the idea that In her Acknowledgements of his
kindness she was imprudent II there wal
any imprudencs, there was not even the
shadow OF guilt upon her mind or heart, and
who can tell the whitening agony of hsl
heart us she held her hand 10 be kissed BY
4